Kenseth to leave Roush at end of season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR points leader Matt Kenseth, one of the longest-tenured drivers in the series, is leaving Roush Fenway Racing at the end of the season.

He will be replaced in the No. 17 Ford — the car he has driven for all but one of his 452 career starts — by Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kenseth’s long relationship with Ford will apparently come to an end. He is thought to be headed to Joe Gibbs Racing, either in Joey Logano’s No. 20 Toyota or a fourth unannounced team.

The team offered no answers in the sudden divorce of one of NASCAR’s longest active relationships. Only Jeff Gordon, with Hendrick Motorsports since 1993, has been with his team longer than Kenseth has been with Jack Roush.

“I’d like to thank Matt Kenseth for his many years of loyal service,” co-owner Roush said Tuesday.

“Matt has been an integral part of this organization for well over a decade, and we are extremely appreciative of his accomplishments and contributions to the team, and will always consider him a part of the Roush Fenway family.”